> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi
> [mailto:owner-rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi] On Behalf Of EdGrenda@aol.com
> Sent: Wednesday, June 9, 2004 07:14
> To: rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi
> Subject: [rp-ml] The RP Patent Museum is on the air...
>
>
> Hi Folks:
>
> We've just established the RP Patent Museum on the Worldwide
> Guide to Rapid
> Prototyping web-site.
>
> There are now more than 2,100 US patents and published patent
> applications in
> rapid prototyping, and this already-large body of knowledge
> is growing at a
> rate of about 600 documents per year. This makes it
> increasingly difficult
> simply to figure out where to begin to gain an understanding
> of the state of the
> art of IP in this field.
>
> Every IP publication makes a contribution, but some are of
> greater interest
> because they form the basis of much of the work that follows;
> others, because
> they illustrate important applications or future directions.
> This new section
> is a guide to nearly 80 of the most basic and important
> issued patents in RP.
> The material has been categorized and overviews are presented for
>
> - Historically important patents
> - Basic technology patents
> - Rapid Tooling
> - Important RP technology improvements
> - Medical RP Applications
> - Direct Manufacturing
>
> Of course, engineers, inventors and researchers might find
> this section to be
> of utilitarian value. But many others might simply enjoy
> reading through some
> of the overview material like a novel. It's a very fast way
> to see the
> entire history and time-line of RP.
>
> Click on the big link at the top of this page go to the RP
> Patent Museum:
>
http://home.att.net/~castleisland/pat_db.htm